[Daisygirl]

Last October, when we lost the house and moved to an apartment, I injured my back. First the doctor told me it was stress related and gave me anti-anxiety meds. :bang:Obviously, it didn't help. Then the doc said she was as sure as she could be without an MRI that I had a herniated disc. After 3 months of rest and no lifting, it was better.

Every once in a while, though, I have a bad day, where the pain is as deep and burning and intense as it was initially. It hurts to even stand because of this intense pressing pain on my lower spine.

For the best three days it's been just dreadful at all times. The only time I feel okay is first thing in the morning before I get out of bed. The second my feet hit the floor, it's ON.

I'm taking OTC painkillers because the only thing offered to me was highly addictive narcotics. I'm using a heating pad, which helps, until I have to move.

The terrifying thing is that I have to move at the end of this month. I'm going to be positively crippled after this. I don't even know what to do. I've done all the exercises prescribed, I don't lift things or twist my spine - I'm really screwed. Why does this keep coming back intermittently? Has anyone else experienced such an issue? How was it treated? The last thing I can afford is time off for surgery! How on earth am I going to handle the move in exactly 3 weeks?

Yeah, NOW, she can cue up the anxiety meds!

 

[Darlene]

I'm sorry you are hurting, back pain stinks. I never get out of bed anymore without doing a couple things. To help stretch my back & bring my knees to my chest and hold it for about 30 at least 3x then I do this one:

If I start getting a twinge like my back is wanting to freak out I do the knee to chest and that helps. I do these every single day. These really have helped me and I haven't had any more sciatica in a long time either. Another thing with me anyways keeping moving helped alot.
Please let others do the lifting as much as possible & if you must lift, make more trips with less stuff, use your arms & legs instead of your back. Think about every move you make before you make it. No jerk lifting of anything.

Hope you feel better soon, I had back pain for months & months not too long ago and know how it just makes your life miserable.

 

[thesightofoneself]

pain meds. find a different doctor if you have too. you shouldnt be in pain

 

[Debbie-cat]

Oh Daisy, I feel for you. I have had surgery twice and have had two discs removed. You need to find another doctor who will treat you properly. I wish you the best of luck and don't lift anything!

 

[cab54]

Oh, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Back pain is so incapacitating and frustrating! Look who I'm telling this too, huh?

Do you have brothers and sisters in the area? That can help you when you move? Older nieces and nephews? Maybe good friends or co-workers? With a truck or van?

I would start to put a plan into effect now so that you can get the worry off your shoulders. Ask folks to help you now, and make a list of phone numbers so you can call them later. Ask more people than you need, cause some will back out. Tell them the problem with your back and your fears.

Maybe there are some high school or college age kids in your neighborhood who will help for pizza and soft drinks. Could you save up for that?

In the meantime, I will be praying that you have complete recovery from your back pain, and the underlying cause.

 

[SDMom]

Have you tried a chiripractor? I know a lot of people don't like them. But we've had tremendous results from ours.

I was off work for 3 weeks w/back problems, until I gave in to go to a chiropractor and within 1 week I was back to work.

My dh was having problems w/his hand falling asleep while he was sleeping and would wake up to excruciating pain from his elbow down to his wrist, and getting little sleep night after night. After 3 treatments, he now sleeping thru the night with no pain.

Just a thought.

 

[Daisygirl]

Thank you for all of the good thoughts and suggestions! Unfortunately the chiropractic doesn't fit in my budget at this time - hopefully after the move!

I do have some guys at work that promised to help me move, thank goodness. I might see if Chloe could get a couple of her friends to help for a few bucks each! Great suggestions!

 

[Ceashels]

Once a spine injury .... Always a spine injury. The key will be managing it.

My Mom came out of knee replacement surgery with a herniated disc. We found a Physical Therapist that was a McKenzie Institute Specialist and within the first week her pain went from an 8/10 to a 2/10, that was with 2 treatments.

Certified McKenzie Specialists are able to help reduce disc herniation without the use of surgery or high velocity manipulation (the style of chiropractors) and Most of the Drs I know don't recommend Chiropractic specialists for disc herniation.

My Mom's exercises were very gentle and she was only required her to do specific gliding motions that helped decompress the nerve root and move the disc back into its appropriate position.

The McKenzie Institute - The McKenzie Method is the link to find a certified person near you.

Oh, try ice instead of heat. Heat will cause the tissues to swell and that means more stiffness and difficulty moving. Ice 10-15 mins then off for 20-30 mins. You may also want to check into the use of a TENS machine as electrical stimulation can help reduce pain and swelling of chronic issues too.

Feel better
Ceashels

 

[nodmicks]

Daisy do you by chance know anyone with an inversion table? It is awesome! It really helps a lot. I herniated 3 disks years ago and refused surgery. It took a long time to find what worked. Chiro which I know you said is not in the budget now. Yoga also is very helpful.

I hope you find something that helps!

 

[Russ]

Love my inversion table! Really helps my back!

 

[mauimagic]

Ice and an inversion table sound like the best help on an immediate basis. Absolutely ask for more assistance with your move.

The absolutely best chiropractic care that I received (after my father's of course) was a medical doctor who went into chiropractic care and took massage courses. Her technique was to massage the muscles leading to the area of concern and then gently manipulate what needed to be adjusted. She was in Keene NH over 40 years ago - the idea is wonderful!!

Good luck and keep in touch!!

 

[Ramona]

Daisygirl, I had sciatica in the not too distant past. It was emotionally triggered and I did back exercises religiously. After my life calmed down, the attacks stopped but I know if I don't treat myself well, they might return. My doctor prescribed muscle relaxers and pain meds. They worked very well.

If you have a herniated disc, I'm sorry that I can't offer any advice.

I know the pain is excruciating and offer you a warm hug.

 

[frugalfranny]

Once a spine injury .... Always a spine injury. The key will be managing it.


Most of the Drs I know don't recommend Chiropractic specialists for disc herniation.

Oh, try ice instead of heat. Heat will cause the tissues to swell and that means more stiffness and difficulty moving. Ice 10-15 mins then off for 20-30 mins.

I was told to NOT have any Chiro. with herniated disc. That it could do even more damage.

The ice does help.......if you can stand it........

If you can get it to 'settle down' good, and then be careful, it could be awhile before you have 'another flare-up'...........I won't have any surgery as I don't know anyone that was REALLY successful with it.......some help but not great. And NEVER will I have anything fused.......

Good luck and I hope you find something for relief.

 

[thesightofoneself]

good to know i'm not the only one with an inversion table. but, i'm sticking to my prescription

 

[Ceashels]

I was told to NOT have any Chiro. with herniated disc. That it could do even more damage.

Yup, Exactly!

 

[Daisygirl]

I broke down and went to the doc today. I had x-rays and then went back to see her. I have scoliosis, which I knew and apparently the issue is right where the carvature is. It is so bad that 3 of the vertabrae are touching, causing sciatica and excruciating, grinding pain. When she saw the xray she said she couldn't believe I was still able to walk.

Tomorrow I go to a physical therapist for treatment and some exercises. I'm being scheduled for an MRI as well.

I'm really worried because the doctor said it was so bad I would likely need major surgery - surgery on my spine - I can't think of anything scarier!

It's weird, but seeing the picture of those poor bones grinding together made me feel sick to my stomach - I feel queasy just thinking about it.

Anyhow, just an update - I'll let you all know how it goes at physio tomorrow. Thank you for the good wishes, all!

 

[nodmicks]

ending prayers hugs and healing vibes!

 

[Ceashels]

You can expect to be a little sore after therapy. They'll be making you move in ways you typically don't. But they can offer lots of modalities (ice, TENS, heat, ultrasound) that can help reduce the muscular soreness so you can get better.

Don't forget to interview the therapist.... how much experience do they have working with scoliosis, herniated discs, etc? You don't want a therapist who does great with knee replacement recovery and no spinal recovery experience.

Good luck, I'll be thinking positive for you.

 

[frugalfranny]

Good luck with the therapy daisygirl.........sending you good vibes for success.

And if they give you exercises to do at home.........be SURE to do them..........they do help!

 

[Daisygirl]

Thank you for the good vibes!

Ceashells - the doctor recommended this therapist for his experience with spinal issues. Also, because sports are so important to me, she thought I would work well with this guy because he's an athlete. Hopefully by spring I can be back on the hiking trails with my girls. At least he will understand the fact that inactivity is so difficult for me. Before I got hurt I walked about 10km (5 miles give or take) a day. I can tell you know a lot about this type of thing - can I ask, what is your background in this field? (Just nosy)